How to handle collection calls for a dead person's debt

After a death, creditors may come calling. Here's what to say

By Dana Dratch

After someone dies owing credit card debt, creditors may come calling. If you get a collections call, here's the drill. First, don't give any information (especially your Social Security number). Instead, you need to ask some questions, log the answers, then do a little research.

Who is trying to collect (the card company itself or collections agency)?

What is the caller's name? What's the company's contact number and address?

When was the debt acquired? If it's a credit account, when was it opened? Closed?

What name or names are on the account? Are they joint account holders or authorized users?

What is the total owed?

Why are you being contacted about the debt?

Can the company furnish proof of the debt?)

If the company has paperwork for you, have it mailed to the executor, your attorney, or the address on file (if that's still accessible). Don't give out your address or other information. In a pinch, have it faxed.

After the call, if you believe the debt is real:

• See if it may have already been settled. (Call it paperwork error: Collections companies have been known to try to collect debts that have already been paid or have already been dismissed in bankruptcy.) Talk with the executor to see if the debt was paid or dismissed during probate. (Especially if some time has elapsed since the death.)

• Is your name on the debt? If the collector is alleging that you are a joint account holder (rather than an authorized user), he should furnish proof in writing. (Just FYI: You would have had to sign the application.)

Updated: July 26, 2011

Join the discussion

We encourage an active and insightful conversation among our users. Please help us keep our community civil and respectful. For your safety, do not disclose confidential or personal information such as bank account numbers or social security numbers. Anything you post may be disclosed, published, transmitted or reused.

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.

The editorial content on CreditCards.com is not sponsored by any bank or credit card issuer. The journalists in the editorial department are separate from the company's business operations. The comments posted below are not provided, reviewed or approved by any company mentioned in our editorial content. Additionally, any companies mentioned in the content do not assume responsibility to ensure that all posts and/or questions are answered.

Did you like this story? Then sign up for CreditCards.com’s weekly e-newsletter for the latest news, advice, articles and tips. It's FREE. Once a week you will receive the top credit card industry news in your inbox. Sign up now!